Karsceal Turner – I Got Next!
The Lazy Summer Days actually were a very active time for Central Florida masonic lodges and Order of the Eastern Star chapters. As a member of both, I was privy to ALL the venues which included: an annual celebration of St. John, The Evangelist; a community uniting crab boil; a community health fair; and the burial of an illustrious Past-Master.
Not only was I in my capacity as a lodge brother, I was also the photographer. That is to say, I rarely had a seat. However, I decided to include photos from each occurrence as I crank out this public relation piece you’re reading so all that standing, walking, and photo shooting was not in vain.
You still belief those Masons and Eastern Stars are up to no good? I beg to differ.
Serenity Chapter O.E.S. Crab Boil Satisfies Seafood Cravings
The sisters of Serenity Chapter UD kicked off the summer with their first fund-raising effort with an “ALL you can Eat crab boil” held June 7 at Boaz Masonic Temple located at 208 Midway Ave, Ormond Beach. For a small fee, patrons were treated to a selection of Blue crabs, snow crabs, Jambalaya, eggs, corn on the cob, shrimp (fried and broiled), sausages, casseroles, and other fixings.
I took a few pics in between getting my eat on. I tried to get shots of sisters skillfully getting at that seafood but kept those to a minimum. The sisters were able to bond with one another (and brothers who showed up to stuff their faces), introduce themselves and show love to the Daytona/Ormond Beach community through its stomach. Worthy Matron Maria McCoy was pleased with the camaraderie the chapter exhibited as they broke bread together. “It was a “turning point for the chapter. We’ve progressed immensely since then,” McCoy said.
Serenity Chapter UD was established January 25th, 2014 under Jerusalem Grand Chapter PHA The chapter is holding a meet and greet on August 2, beginning at 2:00pm at Bell air lanes located at 2575 N. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach.
Boaz Lodge and Serenity Chapter “Wash-Out” Cancer Car wash June 21
Speaking of servants, the brothers of Boaz Lodge #212 and the sisters of Serenity Chapter O.E.S. joined forces with a car-wash under the theme of washing out cancer held on June 21. Tickets were pre-sold by the lodge and chapter members at a cost of $5.00 apiece. Worshipful Master Franklin “Ace” Oxendine was pleased with the venue which donated portions of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society.
“To be able to fellowship with sisters and brothers united with a common cause is one of the most important things we can do as masons and eastern stars.,” Oxendine said.
A Celebration of St. John, The Evangelist.
By history, custom, tradition and ritualistic requirements, the Craft holds dear the days of St. John the Baptist on June 24, and St. John the Evangelist on December 27. A lodge which forgets either forfeits a precious link with the past and loses an opportunity for the renewal of allegiance to everything in Freemasonry symbolized by these Patron Saints.
Members of District #16 of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida F&AM PHA, which includes: Boaz Lodge #212 (Daytona Beach), Espanola Lodge #161 (Bunnell), and J.C. Reese #429 (Mims) along with sister O.E.S. Chapters from Districts 17 and 22 of Jerusalem Grand Chapter to include; Deborah Chapter #107, Essie M. Giddens, Genesis Chapter #108, Golden Star Chapter #49, Harmony Chapter #57, R.E. Williams Chapter #54.
Service were held at the Pentecostal Church of God located at 458 Arthur Street on June 24th.
It was a testimony to how members of the church community embrace brothers and sisters of the Prince Hall family, many of which are standup community servants.
Boaz Family Cook-out/Espanola Health Fair kick-off on same date
The Prince Hall family congregated once more for a Cook-out held July 12th at Nova Community Center in Ormond Beach. Lodge brothers and chapter sisters fellowshipped and enjoyed barbecued burgers, hot dogs and some cakes baked by none other than sisters of Serenity (including the Worthy Matron).
On the same date, the brothers of Espanola Lodge #161 held a Health Fair at Carver gymnasium in Bunnell. The municipality of Espanola lies just south of Bunnell and covers a very small area, with an area of only 2 miles. It is part of the Palm Coast Metropolitan Statistical Area.
A total of 17 vendors to include The American Red Cross, Vitas, Stewart Marchman, Daytona State College-Flagler, Haven Hospice, Flagler and Bunnell Fire department were on hand to push the issue of health awareness in the tight-knit community. Screenings available included: Body, mass index (BMI), blood pressure screening and a wealth of informational literature.
Also on site was The On The GO! Aids Awareness Bus, Kiwanis Club-Flagler County, Grannie Mannie for Seniors Home Health, Street Outreach, The Vitamin Shoppe, and The Division of Blind services Flagler County. The Health fair was chaired by lodge brothers Andre Chaney and Charlie Washington and was a huge success according to Chaney.
“Without a doubt it was a success. The turnout was not what I expected but still, we estimated nearly 100 people attended,” Chaney said “This will be an annual event. to bring awareness to the community where services aren’t prevalent or known about. It is very important to the brothers of the lodge. Many people didn’t know such services were readily available. We wanted to let the community become aware of Espanola Lodge #161’s presence in the city,” he added.
A Homegoing for the ages
On July 11th Boaz Lodge #212 lost a beloved Past Master. James L. Howard. As is fitting among lodge members, the brothers performed his last rites, in church ceremony and grave side ceremony with full Masonic honors. WM Franklin Oxendine presided. Although I must not divulge ceremonial procedure, I can say it is a solemn ceremony befitting a man of Howard’s caliber. Many people from the Daytona Beach area may remember him as an officer with the Daytona Beach Police Department, others will remember him as the cafeteria door guard at Bethune-Cookman back in the day. In addition to being an Air Force veteran, church steward, and loving father, he was our lodge brother. When the lone bugler played “Taps” at the funeral I lost my cool for a hot minute. I regained my composure in enough time to assist the brethren with the grave side ceremony. I assure you nothing satanic was performed. If you had the chance to see the brothers following the casket south down Martin Luther King Jr., Boulevard in Daytona Beach, It was truly a sight to behold.
And so my run-down of summer masonic activities is ended. People say the masons and eastern stars aren’t active…I beg to differ.
It is good to stand out in the community. Just doing good by serving!!!